Li-Ning Way of Wade 9
Released 2/2021, Low Top, Dwyane Wade,
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Performance Ratings
8.2
EXPERT RATING
1 reviews
8.8
USER RATING
2 ratings
Performance Summary
The Way of Wade 9 is a fantastic shoe offering strong support and traction.
Pros
Solid lockdown and stability
Traction bites hard
Cons
The shoe is expensive
Best Suitable For: Recommended for most playstyles, but more so for laterally, shifty players.
Category Performance Ratings
8.0
Traction
Aggressive multidirectional traction pattern with soft rubber. Bites hard on clean courts but is dust-sensitive and needs wiping for consistent grip.
8.0
Cushion
Caged midsole with foam insert and limited compression. Offers plush step-in comfort and decent court feel but not very bouncy or highly responsive.
8.0
Materials
Thin, stretchy upper with fused overlays. Lightweight and comfortable with improved durability from the fuse layer but still a minimal build.
9.0
Support
Lateral plastic plate and firm heel counter. Provides strong lateral stability and reliable heel lockdown with no slippage reported.
8.0
Fit
Snug, tight fit with secure lockdown and a narrow toe box. True to size for most and requires little break-in.
50%
Outdoor
Fused overlays and thin upper suggest reasonable outdoor durability. Reviewers expect acceptable wear but not heavy-duty outdoor resilience.
small
large
Sizing
Runs true to size for most players. Order your normal size for best fit.
narrow
wide
Width
Narrow forefoot and snug toe box. Best suited to narrow to regular width feet; wide footers may feel cramped.
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
![]() Li-Ning Way of Wade 9 | ![]() Adidas AE 2 | ![]() Jordan Luka 3 | ![]() Nike KD 18 | ![]() Adidas Harden Volume 9 | ![]() Nike Lebron 23 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.2 | 8.5(0.3) | 8.2(0.0) | 8.2(0.0) | 8.5(0.3) | 8.3(0.1) | |
| User Rating | 8.8 | 8.8(0.0) | 9.2(0.4) | 9.1(0.3) | 9.4(0.6) | NA | |
| Best Price | $225 | $129.99 | $129.99 $140 | $88.97 $160 | $119.99 $160 | $209.99 | |
| Type of Cut | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | |
| Weight | 410g - 420g | 420g - 430g | 380g - 390g | 420g - 430g | 410g - 420g | 440g - 440g |
Expert Reviews of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
Expert Rating: 8.2 (ranks #269 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.2
February 18, 2022
The Li-Ning Way of Wade 9 offers premium features and materials. It could be lighter, and the cushion could be a bit more responsive, but I have no complaints other than that.
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User Reviews of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
User Rating: 8.8 (ranks #134 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
Traction of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
Expert Traction Rating: 8.0 (ranks #298 of 385)
User Traction Rating: 9.0 (ranks #130 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 18, 2022
The traction pattern looks cool, and it bites pretty hard. The shoe does pick up dust easily, though.
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Cushion of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
Expert Cushion Rating: 8.0 (ranks #280 of 385)
User Cushion Rating: 8.5 (ranks #180 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 18, 2022
There isn't much compression from the foam in the shoe because the midsole is caged, but there is plenty of step-in comfort. It's a nice setup that offers a decent court feel.
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Materials of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
Expert Materials Rating: 8.0 (ranks #248 of 385)
User Materials Rating: 8.5 (ranks #156 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 18, 2022
The materials are thin and stretchy but have a layer of fuse to offer extra durability. It still feels minimal and comfortable on foot.
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Support of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
Expert Support Rating: 9.0 (ranks #37 of 385)
User Support Rating: 9.5 (ranks #20 of 385)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
0
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
February 18, 2022
Laterally, I had no issues because of the plastic plate at the side and the heel counter. Heel slippage and lateral stability were also non-issues.
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Fit of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
Expert Fit Rating: 8.0 (ranks #277 of 385)
User Fit Rating: 8.5 (ranks #203 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 18, 2022
I enjoy a snug, tight fit, and this shoe offers just that.
More details
Durability of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
User Durability Rating: 7.5 (ranks #300 of 385)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
1
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
Outdoor of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 50.0 (ranks #157 of 385)
User Outdoor Rating: 50.0 (ranks #211 of 385)
Good (100%)
0
Fair (50%)
2
Bad (0%)
0
fair
February 18, 2022
Durability should be ok.
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Width of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
very narrow
1
slightly narrow
2
regular
0
slightly wide
0
very wide
0
slightly narrow
February 18, 2022
The shoe is snug in the toe box.
More details
Size of the Li-Ning Way of Wade 9:
very small
0
slightly small
1
true to size
2
slightly long
0
very long
0
true to size
February 18, 2022
I went true to size and it fits my foot really well.
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